Barcelona close in on key defensive target in €10 million deal as decisive talks underway | OneFootball

According to Mundo Deportivo, Joao Cancelo’s long-awaited move to Barcelona appears to be gathering momentum after several days of uncertainty surrounding his situation at Al Hilal.

The Saudi club has now given the green light for the Portuguese full-back’s departure and is focused on reaching a final agreement with Barcelona.

In the meantime, Cancelo is training individually in Portugal while negotiations continue.

Confusion over pre-season camp absence resolved

Cancelo’s failure to report to Al Hilal’s pre-season camp in Austria on 29 July sparked widespread speculation in Saudi Arabia.

Some reports claimed the club was considering disciplinary action, including a fine, after the defender allegedly failed to join the squad without permission.

Cancelo closing in on Barcelona move. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)

However, more recent reports indicate that the situation has now been fully clarified. Al Hilal and Cancelo have reached an understanding that releases the player from immediate first-team commitments while both clubs work on completing his transfer.

As such, the defender had permission from the outset to miss the training camp and that reports of an unauthorised absence were inaccurate.

Cancelo himself also appeared to dismiss those rumours through activity on his social media accounts.

Focus shifts to Barcelona negotiations

With the misunderstanding resolved, attention has returned entirely to Cancelo’s expected move to Camp Nou.

Al Hilal are now actively negotiating with Barcelona and the player’s agent, Jorge Mendes, in an effort to complete the transfer as quickly as possible.

Flick views Cancelo as a key addition. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick views the Portuguese international as a key addition to his squad, making the deal one of the club’s transfer priorities.

€10 Million deal expected

Cancelo remains under contract with Al Hilal until 2027, and the Saudi club are seeking a transfer fee of around €10 million.

According to the report, Al Hilal are now waiting for Barcelona’s final offer so the remaining details of the transfer can be agreed.

With relations between the player and his current club now settled, the negotiations appear to be entering their final stage, bringing Cancelo another step closer to returning to Barcelona, this time around on a permanent transfer.